Improvement in trimming-jacks for shoes and boots



-tion of the plates.

UNITED STATES JAMEs WEBB, JE., 0E roETLAND, MAINE.

IMPROVEMENT IN TRIMMING-JACKS FOR SHOES AND BOOTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 117,582, dated Augustl, 1871.

To all whom -L't may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES WEBB, Jr., of the city of Portland, in thecounty of Cumberland and State of Maine, have invented a new and usefulImproved Trimming-Jack; and I hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description thereof, reference bein g had to theaccompanying drawing foi-min g part of this specification, in whichFigure l is a side elevation 0f my improved jack; and Fig. 2 is adetail, showing a vertical section of the plates A and B.

Same letters show same parts.

Hitherto trinnning-jacks or head-blocks have been more or lesscomplicated in construction and in use inconvenient. Various devices,and some of them complicated and expensive, have been made use of togive the requisite stiffness to the last. In my invention it has been myobject to eliminate the disadvantages common to the jacks now in use,and to produce a jack not only more simple and inexpensive but moreconvenient.

The following description will serve to explain its construction: A andB are two circular plates ofthe same diameter. The lower surface ofB andthe upper surface of the plate A are plain save a circular centraldepression in A. (See Fig. 2.) Both these plates have a central apertureto receive the screw-bolt N. The inner surfaces of these plates (seeFig. 2) have bearings at the center and edges, those at the edges havingshoulders to prevent any lateral or sliding mo- The plate B has an ear,R, to which is attached the hinge D, which is in turn attached to thewooden blockv C. To the upper surface of the plate A, which is held downupon the other plate B by thmnb-screws, (see E and F, Fig. 1,) are rmlyattached the upright standards G and H. These standards may be placedata greater or lesser distance apart; but I prefer that the distancebetween them shouldnot be greater than one inch, and in practice preferto place them as near as or even nearer than is shown in the drawing.The centers of the plate A and the standard should be on the samestraight line. From the tops of the standards Gr and H project thespindles I and K, respectively. These spindles maybe of the same length,or the spindle K may be shorter than the other. Suitable holes beingmade in the last L, it is forced down upon the spindles and thus held inposition. Greater rmness may be imparted to the last by carrying thespindles up to the bottom of the last, threading their ends, andsecuring them by nuts.

In all other jacks than mine but one standard and spindle has been used,and to obtain the requisite stiffness a support has been placed beneaththe toe of the last, upon which the last has been pressed down by meansof a thumbserew, controlling the plate A, a spring-coil, or someequivaient device. The disadvantages of this construetionfmust beobvious.

In attaching the old form of jack to the block or standard upon which itis placed it always is necessary to cut out large portions of the blockand sometimes to add a bracket or other piece of wood to one of thesides. The only particulars in which a circular last must be altered t0accommodate my jack is in slightly flattening one side to receive thehinge D, and in making a slight depression at the center ofthe top toreceive the head P of the bolt N.

Without, then, adverting to other and minor distinctions, I will mentionthe following advantages which I claim for my jack: First, from theabsence of the support for the toe, no movement of the last, and noprevious or subsequent adjustment of any of the parts, is necessary,when putting on or removing a shoe. Second, all parts of the upperleather of the boot or shoe can be reached by the tool of the workman.Third, from the simplicity of its construction it is much cheaper thanany other jack. Fourth, it is more eacslily and cheaply attached to itspost or standar What I claim as my invention, and desire to isecure byLetters Patent of the United States, 1s-

1. The combination of the last L, standards G and H, spindles I and K,and the plate A, as herein set forth, for the purpose described.

2. The arrangement of the last L, the standards G and H with theirspindles I and K, the plates A and B, thumb-screws E and F, and hinge D,as described,`for the purposes set forth.

Portland, Maine, May 31, 1871.

v JAMES WEBB, JR.

Witnesses:

WM. HENRY CLIFFORD, GEORGE E. Bran.

